Last Friday, September 20, 2024, a virtual meeting was held between Father General Rogério Gomes C.Ss.R., some members of his General Council and more than fifty confreres and lay people responsible for vocation promotion within the Redemptorist Congregation. This day was a space for dialogue, reflection and thanksgiving towards those who, with dedication, support the mission of promoting new Redemptorist vocations.
Kindly find the Fr. General’s letter in PDF format:
Father General offered a message of hope, emphasizing the value and importance of vocational works in today’s context. He acknowledged that we live in a world of rapid changes affecting consecrated life, but encouraged those present not to become discouraged. On the contrary, he urged them to “cast their nets into deeper waters” and to look for new ways to approach young people, particularly through the use of digital and social media, which today are essential to connect with new generations.
Father also reflected on the restructuring and reconfiguration of the congregation, stressing that this is a propitious time to renew missionary zeal and devote more resources to vocation promotion. He emphasized the need for the entire Redemptorist community, not just vocation promoters, to engage in this task, as Constitution 79 states that all confreres should actively participate in vocation promotion.
Furthermore, he stressed the importance of an integral approach in vocation promotion, where young people not only experience the Redemptorist charism through digital means, but also through prayer meetings and service in presence. In this sense, the life witness of missionaries and religious continues to be a strong call for young people seeking an authentic vocation.
The meeting also offered a space for questions and reflections on the current situation of Redemptorist vocations. Vocations promoters shared their experiences and concerns, addressing issues such as the youth identity crisis and the role of the community in vocational discernment. Father General invited everyone to involve families and lay people in this process, fostering a network of support for those young people who wish to follow the path of consecrated life.
The meeting concluded with a sincere thanks from Father General to all vocation promoters, recognizing their valuable work. In his final words, he appealed for continued work with hope and dedication, reminding that, even if the fruits are not always immediate, the mission of accompanying and evangelizing young people is essential for the future of the Congregation.
Fr. Edward Julián CHACÓN DÍAZ, C.SS.R.
